For Immediate Release

Contact: info@stopsarcoidosis.org

THE FOUNDATION FOR SARCOIDOSIS RESEARCH LAUNCHES
NATIONAL SARCOIDOSIS AWARENESS WEEK AT K.I.S.S. CHICAGO 2006

Chicago, IL (4 February 2006) On Saturday, February 4th, the Foundation for Sarcoidosis Research (FSR) launched National Sarcoidosis Awareness Week at KISS (Kick In to Stop Sarcoidosis) Chicago 2006. This year’s ‘Hollywood KISSes’ theme, complete with red-carpet and ‘celebrities’, brought together supporters, patients and well-known faces to raise more than $160,000 to support sarcoidosis research and to kick off a week of nationwide activities designed to raise awareness of this devastating disease.

FSR Founder and President Andrea Wilson, (pictured center with 2006 Co-Chair Stefany Whiting and 2006 Co-Emcee Karen Russell), expressed her gratitude to the more than 425 attendees and the young costumed daughters of sarcoidosis patients. “Thanks to our collective efforts at events tonight in Chicago and other cities, we have good news to share. News that we hope means our darling ‘Shirley Temples’ will grow up in a world free from this devastating disease.”

As part of the Foundation’s mission to provide direct support to critically needed sarcoidosis research, Ms. Wilson offered highlights from the nine promising research awards funded by FSR in 2005 and presented the 2006 KISS Chicago Young Investigator Award to Dr. Nadera Sweiss (pictured at left) of the University of Chicago. “By recognizing and honoring researchers who take an interest in sarcoidosis early in their career we hope to lure even more new investigators to the field. This year we are pleased to honor a woman who is actively involved in clinical research and has made a commitment to understanding the underlying causes of sarcoidosis,” championed Ms. Wilson.

Ms. Wilson was joined in hosting duties by Co-Emcee Karen Russell (pictured at right) daughter of famed NBA player Bill Russell, who shared her family's experiences in managing a disease for which there is no cure. A Harvard educated attorney and a TV legal analyst in Seattle, both Ms. Russell and her father have sarcoidosis. “We all know my dad as a legendary basketball player who won 11 NBA championships, those who know our family know he is also the champion of this cause. We both want to offer our heartfelt gratitude to my cousin Stefany Whiting for Co-Chairing the 2006 event and more importantly to FSR for funding the important new research that Andrea Wilson outlined.”

Highlighting this year’s exciting ‘Hollywood KISSes’ theme, celebrity anchorwomen from organizing sponsor NBC-5 Chicago joined attendees for a motion picture experience that included celebrity impersonators Frank Sinatra and Marilyn Monroe (pictured at right with 2006 Co-Chair Tom Stephens), and Mr. Sinatra's favorite vices, KISStini-martinis and charity gaming offered against a back-drop of memorable movie embraces. In 2002, NBC Chicago Affiliate WMAQ lost well-known sports anchor Darrian Chapman to undiagnosed cardiac sarcoidosis.

The live auction featured a one-of-a-kind print “Hud Embrace” (pictured at left) featuring Paul Newman, as the 1963 movie's anti-hero, and Patricia Neal. Designed by the renowned Chicago artist Nicolosi, this alluring limited edition print was signed by Ms. Neal who won an Academy Award for her role in the film. High profile celebrity patients to donate other unique items to the 2006 auction included Bill Russell and Bernie Mac.

K.I.S.S Naples 2006, also held on February 4th, was an
inspirational night for the dozens of supporters who joined to honor young patient Natalie Schryver and to help her family raise local awareness of sarcoidosis and thousands of dollars to support the Foundation's research programs.

Sarcoidosis (pronounced SAR-COY-DO-SIS) can appear in almost any organ in the body, but is found most often in the lungs or lymph nodes. It is the most common chronic fibrotic lung disorder in the United States. Typically sarcoidosis victims are young 20 to 50 years old. The effects of sarcoidosis can range from mild, without symptoms, to very severe. It is important to properly diagnose the disease. In some cases it can be fatal. The cause remains unknown and there is no cure.

The Foundation for Sarcoidosis Research (FSR) is the nation’s leading organization dedicated to improving care for patients and to finding a cure for this disease. Since 2000, FSR has worked to position sarcoidosis as a growing problem on the U.S. health care agenda and established itself as the authoritative resource for patients, health professionals and the public.

2006 Campaign Supporters include:  NBC-5 Chicago, Sloan Valve Company, Centocor, Grey Goose Vodka, Burrell Communications Group, Sonnenschein, Nath & Rosenthal
@ World Properties, LLC, KPMG and Marsh.